Temple of Shadows Book of Mists and Shadows

  Bride of the earth, sister of the faeries, daughter of the Tuatha de Danaan,  keeper of the eternal flame. In autumn, the nights began to lengthen, and the days grew shorter, as the earth went to sleep. Now, Brighid stokes her fire, burning flames in the hearth, bringing light back to us once more. Winter is brief, but life is forever. Brighid makes it so. Blessed Be

Hail Mother of the golden wheat, You of plenty and fertile womb, breathe Thy blessing upon my heart, nourish my soul that I, too, may create the world with love. Blessed Be.

Preparing Your Space Before you begin any ritual or ceremony, you should Clear and Cleanse the area where the work is to be done. This is especially true when you're first consecrating your sacred space. You should recleanse this area each time you begin a ritual or use of this space, but these later efforts will all be affected by how you first set the intent and use of energy in this space for the first time. Sacred Clothing Many practioners will not enter or use their sacred space unless they are cloaked in a special garment created by their own hands and consecrated for spiritual use. This robe is unique and special to each person who desires to honor their beliefs in this fashion. A cloak can be consecrated for specific purposes. So you can have more than one cloak, depending on what type of ritual you will be conducting in your sacred space. Ritual clothing isn't the only garments you want to consider for your space. An altar cloth is also called for. You can use more tha...

Setting Up Your Space      Before any spiritual event can occur, you should create or designate a place that can act as your "Sacred Space". Your personal area where only spiritual work and interaction will be conducted. Once you have designated an area, inside or outside, you will need to cleanse the area, energize it and create a "gateway" for spiritual communication and work. Selecting A Space      Designate an area in your home or outside where your sacred space will be. This should be a place that is undisturbed by other members of your household. If you don't have the space in your home to designate a room as your spiritual area, then set aside a corner or portion of a room. You can use curtains, an attractive room divider or just a special arrangement of furniture.      If you decide to create a space outside, the same considerations apply. You want this area to be undisturbed by other people. A place where your ritual objects will be ...

What Can Be On Your Altar There are many items that you may want to add to your altar based on the workings you're doing. If it's a ceremony for a Sabbat or a ritual for magick work, additional items might be needed to connect or cast your energies. This is just a small list of a few examples: Magickal Tools Inspirational Statues- If you feel connected to salamanders, then a  small ceramic salamander can decorate  your space.  If you like incense with your workings, you'll need to add an incense holder. But you might also add a decorative feather for smudging. Crystals are also helpful energy conductors.| Types of Altars An altar can be a permanent table you use in a special room designated for spiritual work. It can be a table you put up and take down after use. You can also find portable altars in various forms and shapes. From briefcase type carrying cases where you can store your altar items, so simple tables you set up and collapse to put away out of sight. There are...

What Should Be On Your Altar There are many items that you may want to add to your altar based on the workings you're doing. If it's a ceremony for a Sabbat or a ritual for magick work, additional items might be needed to connect or cast your energies. This is just a small list of a few examples: Magickal Tools There are items that should be included on your altar: Ceremonial Candles - This is a general purpose candle used to begin and set the focus of your energy and protection. Candles/Statues : They represent your chosen deities usually silver for the Goddess and Gold for the God.  Ritual Candle(s) - These are candles that you may want to use within  your ritual workings. Working bowl(s) :   one for salt, one for water, and one for the libation. Cauldron :  metal pot for magical work; when burning a candle inside it, you might want to put a layer of clean sand on the bottom of the pot; must be large enough to hold melted wax and to burn twigs inside with...

 Setting Up Your Personal Altar An altar helps to set your focus for rituals, ceremonies and magick workings. This space should be alive and teaming with energy. In other words, don't use it just for decoration or to display decorative items. Items that are used in each ritual and items that provide you focus and inspiration should be maintained on your altar. This is your work space and it should be large enough for you to conduct your spiritual work upon. So you don't want to overwhelm your space with unnecessary statues, knickknacks and unused objects. And lastly, the altar should be geared toward your personal beliefs. This is a spiritual altar and you'll want to honor your beliefs and the Divine energies that are present in you space. If your beliefs are aligned with Celtic practices, give your altar a Celtic feeling. If you work with specific Gods or Goddesses, a statue of the appropriate pantheon you align with is a good thing to maintain in your space. Sacred Cloth ...

 Materials you need: 3” 3- ring binder Notebook paper (30 to 40 sheets, or more if needed) Dividers A special pen, just for writing in your book. (Make sure you have more than one.) Okay, so now you have your binder, you need to separate it into sections: Dedication - The first page should be a book blessing. The second page can be a short story about how you found the craft. Section One: Journal - Here you write down your thoughts, poetry, and spell experiences. Write in your book at least once a week.  Section Two: The Basics - Place all the information you have gathered on Wicca, witchcraft and all other traditions. Section Three: Deity Work - The Goddess and God- Compile a list of Gods and Goddesses, their attributes, myths and stories. Here’s were you keep your favorite invocations, poems, and images of deities. Section Four: Magick Basics and Correspondences - Rules and guidelines of Magick. Write a paragraph about Magick and what it means to you. In this section, inclu...

     Some traditions recognize practitioners having more than one magickal name.  One being a publicly known name and the other being your private or secret name given to you by the Goddess and God.  Your publicly known Craft name should be one that you feel describes you best.  This can be one based on legend and/ or nature.  Whatever name you choose, think on it for some time before you finalize your decision.  You don't want to start confusing your friends and associates by constantly changing your name. Your private magickal name is a different story all together.  This name will come to you.  It may be months or years, or it may come in a couple of days.  This name will be given to you usually in a dream you have or during deep meditation.  One thing is for sure, when it's given to you, you'll know it!  It is said that this name, given to you by the Goddess and God, is your true and right name.  But it is never t...